Crome Court Estate - RAF Defford - Worcestershire |
In this film, Bernard Lovell explains the cavity magnetron for use in Air Interception in World War 2.
W.J. "Sticks" Gregory |
Although my Grandfather's Log Book looks relatively quiet in May 1943 in terms of 'Ops' he flew, there was a good deal of behind the scenes preparation for the future Bomber Support activities of the squadron. The idea of Bomber Support was to escort the allied bombers on their raids over enemy territory and intercept the German night fighters before they had a chance of shooting down the bombers. In this way the RAF hoped to reduce the bomber losses that were beginning to rise again due to the advances in technology in the German anti-aircraft and Luftwaffe forces.
Bob Braham's navigator, W. J."Sticks" Gregory explains more about this in reel 3 of his "Oral History" held at the Imperial War Museum. (Please click the link in the text)
The C.O. of 141 Squadron, W/Cdr "Bob" Braham , along with his Intelligence Officer, P/O 'Buster' Reynolds, flew back and forth to HQ Bomber Command and Nos. 5 and 8 Group headquarters to discuss how the squadron was to operate in amongst the bomber stream. Much concern was expressed that the allied bomber crews would target their Beaufighters at night in the heat of battle, mistaking them for the enemy, also that one squadron wasn't really enough to make much of a difference. But Braham assured them that his crews understood the risks of 'friendly fire' and were prepared to carry on regardless. He thought even one squadron could sow confusion for the enemy ground radar and create fear and uncertainty amongst the attacking luftwaffe nightfighters which could force them to abort attacks on the plodding, overladen bombers. Plus, if successful, hopefully other squadrons would be detailed for similar operations. This was the forerunner of 100 Group.
H.C. Kelsey Log book - May 1943 |
My grandfather, F/O H. C. Kelsey, seemed to spend quite a few days ferrying other RAF personnel and aircraft around this month, either to and from Predannack, or to and from TRE at Defford. A couple of times in the month he had the dubious pleasure of crewing the Station Commander, Sq/Ldr Vale, in a Master III to a local destination. Sq/Ldr Vale would introduce himself to new crews at briefings as "Vale The Bastard", so I presume that he would have chosen one of the better pilots to accompany him on these jaunts!
Miles Master III |
Heinkel HE177 |
“Further cross country and navigation exercises... Weather still closing down of a night and at 21:30 F/Sgt Judge with Sgt Blower as Nav/Rad took off for NFT [night flying training] and Weather Test. At 21:45 the aircraft appeared to be making a perfect approach coming in to land. It suddenly swung to starboard and crashed into Burghley Park. Both aircrew were killed”.
Frederick Blower's death was registered at Peterborough. His body was returned to Great Crosby near Liverpool, the home of his wife, and was buried in St Luke’s Churchyard Section E grave 592. I cannot find out what became of F/Sgt. R. Judge.
Meanwhile in the night skies over Germany, Luftwaffe ace Lt Robert Denzel was busy picking off British bombers at an ever increasing rate. On the night of 12/13 May 1943 the German city of Duisburg came under attack. Duisberg was a major logistical centre for the Ruhr area and a location of chemical, steel and iron industries. With good marking the force of 577 bombers destroyed the old town with 1,599 tons of bombs. An estimated 96,000 people were made homeless. 38 British aircraft didn't make it back to base. Robert Denzel was part of the Luftwaffe night fighting force of 12 Nachtjagd 1 waiting for the returning bombers. That one night he shot down a Lancaster W4762 of 50 Squadron, a Stirling BK705 of 218 Squadron and a Wellington HE398 of 196 Squadron for his 7th, 8th and 9th 'victories'. Rather shockingly, all the stricken crews were either killed or reported missing.
Crew of Lancaster W4762, including Pilot, P/O F. H. Huntley DFM - Aircrew Remembered |
WW2 NJG 1 - Nachtjagdgeshwader 1 military patch |